Grace Christian Academy's football team will step into the TSSAA next fall, joining Division I Region 4A.

It will do so with a former NFL quarterback calling the shots.

Rusty Smith, who played for the Titans from 2010-13, was announced as the Lions' new head coach on Monday.

"We've been kicking around the idea for a while now and with us making the move to 11-man football and the TSSAA next year we just feel like it's the right time to make a seamless transition," Smith said. "I'm fired up about it. I know I've got a lot to learn and I know I'm young but you've got to start somewhere."

The school, located in Leiper's Fork, has spent the last three years playing eight-man football and hopes Smith can give the program a boost as it makes the jump to the TSSAA.

Smith, 28, spent the previous two years as the program's quarterback coach and offensive coordinator.

"I would really like to win a few games," Smith said. "My main goal is to help the kids this year make the jump from 8-man to 11-man."

A Florida Atlantic University standout with school records of 10,112 career passing yards and 76 touchdowns, Smith was selected by the Titans in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2010 NFL draft. He was a backup for four seasons and played in three games.

Smith hopes what he learned in the NFL can help him as a coach.

"One thing that I have definitely learned is being able to roll with the punches," Smith said. "I understand what it's like to learn something new and I understand what it's like to go through changes."

As a part of Region 4, GCA will compete with Columbia Academy, Cornersville, Fayetteville High, Huntland, Moore County, Mt. Pleasant, Richland and Summertown.

Former GCA football coach Daniel Bechman will continue to be the school's director of athletics as well as the girls basketball coach. He will also remain of the football staff as Smith's offensive/defensive line coach.

"He's got a lot of things on his plate," Smith said. "It just seemed like it was the best fit and the right time to make the transition."